i've been having a problem with my car overheating. the thermostat was recently replaced so i don't think its that. what is happening is once it gets hot the radiator fluid starts to leak out and causes it to overheat. i took it to the dealership and they said it is the cooling fan. i don't understand how the fan not working is going to cause the radiator fluid to leak out though. are they correct that it probably is the fan, or could it be something else? thanks. its a 2001 gt btw.
overheating
- Thread starter geoff_is_cool
- Start date
crew_dawg16
New Member
Did you check the thermostat? Is it in upside down?
It could be the fan, but if it overheats on the highway, then it's not the fan.
It could be the fan, but if it overheats on the highway, then it's not the fan.
CanadaStang
New Member
Also, does it start leaking fluid just as the temp comes up to normal, or does it start to leak after the temp needle goes way over to hot?
Wikkdgt
New Member
If the fan isn't coming on, check the plug connector on the back of the fan. See if it's unplugged or loose.
newstangman
New Member
I'll bet you your anti-freeze mix is not 50%/50% (water to anti-freeze) and when it gets to 212 degrees +, it starts to boil and has reduced cooling capabilities and will actually overflow from the expansion tank. Check your mix when the engine is cold with an anti-freeze ball tester. Make sure your mix will float all 5 balls. This should stop your problem! Let me know.
The dealer is right in that it COULD be the fan. Me and my tech (im a helper) had a car come in one time with coolant all over the engine bay. I had just come in when he was diagnosing the problem. He told me to go price out a fan at parts and I asked why would it be the fan when there is coolant sprayed all over the engine bay. The reason was that the fan wasnt coming on, the temperatures would rise and exceed the pressure capacity of the radiator cap and bam, now you got a leak. So yes, it could be the fan, but there are other possibilities.
AdRock
Member
This is how I would go about this if it was on my car.
1. Start it up, watch the temp, see if the fans come on. If not, start there. If they do then
2. Replace the radiator cap,
If that doesn't work
3. Check the coolant/water ratio
If that's fine, then
4. Pull the thermostat and check to see if it opens using the pot o water on the stove method. Use a meat thermometer to track the water temp and see if it opens at the correct temp. Also, while the engine block is cold reinstall the upper hose and run some water through the engine using a garden without the engine running.
If the thermostat is fine and the water flows freely and a bunch of crap doesn't come out, then reinstall the thermostat and the correct coolant mixture and see what happens.
if it still overheats I would then look to the water pump. Easy to replace.
If you do all of this and it still overheats then I would start looking for something more of major type problem. Head gasket or something like that.
1. Start it up, watch the temp, see if the fans come on. If not, start there. If they do then
2. Replace the radiator cap,
If that doesn't work
3. Check the coolant/water ratio
If that's fine, then
4. Pull the thermostat and check to see if it opens using the pot o water on the stove method. Use a meat thermometer to track the water temp and see if it opens at the correct temp. Also, while the engine block is cold reinstall the upper hose and run some water through the engine using a garden without the engine running.
If the thermostat is fine and the water flows freely and a bunch of crap doesn't come out, then reinstall the thermostat and the correct coolant mixture and see what happens.
if it still overheats I would then look to the water pump. Easy to replace.
If you do all of this and it still overheats then I would start looking for something more of major type problem. Head gasket or something like that.
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